Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry

For almost 20 years Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry has been serving people impacted by HIV/AIDS at our two facilities, Bonaventure House in Chicago, and The Harbor in Waukegan. In the early days of the epidemic, Bonaventure House provided a place where people could come to die with some measure of dignity and love. As the disease evolved and treatments improved, Bonaventure House and The Harbor became places where people come not to die, but to live.

After 20 years, Michelle Wetzel has come full circle.

In 1989, the Alexian Brothers opened Bonaventure House in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. It provided hospice services for people dying from AIDS. Wetzel was one of the first volunteers.

“This was before Bonaventure House really had any staff,” says Wetzel. “We were feeding and bathing and sitting and talking with people.”

In tune with the "Dancing with the Stars" craze, Brad and Marisa, Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House Occupational Therapists, wanted to introduce something fun and new that would give residents the satisfaction of accomplishment while getting out of their comfort zone.

So why not square dancing?